Wildlife Photography: 6 Safety Tips

Shooting wildlife photography requires you to get far away
from civilization. You need to put yourself in a situation where it's
just you, the camera and mother nature. It's almost like going camping.
Because you are by yourself and the environment can sometimes be a
harsh place, there are several safety tips you need to follow.

1. Tell Someone Else Exactly Where You Are Going

Make sure that someone knows exactly where you are going and when
you expect to be back. This way, if for whatever reason (like you
accidentally fall and break a leg) you don't make it back at that time,
people know where to find you quickly. This is the most important rule.

Also, some parks have a sign in and sign out sheet. They're checked
frequently by rangers so that they know everyone who entered the park
that day left it.

2. Bring a First Aid Kit

Accidents are called accidents because you don't expect them to
happen. Take a first aide kit with you in case you someone how get
hurt. This could save your life.

3. Watch Your Step

This is kind of obvious. You don't want to trip on a tree's roots or
cut yourself on a thorn bush. Also, depending where you are, you don't
want to step on poisonous snakes or sit on a scorpion when you take a
break. You also don't want to walk through poison oak. Be cautious of
the world, plants and animals around you.

4. Keep a Distance

We use telephoto lenses in wildlife photography so we can get the
shot without being close. Use the lenses to get near the action. There
is no reason for you to be ten feet away from a vicious animal when you
have tools that keep you at a safe distance. No one is going to be able
to tell the difference between you being close and you using the long
lens.

5. Stay Away from Areas You Know Are Dangerous

If you're in the Florida swamp lands, then stay away from the water.
Although you might not see them, alligators are close by and will
attack you. This applies for any situation; if you know a place is
dangerous, don't go there.

6. Keep a Distance from Baby Animals

If you stumble upon a baby animal in the wilderness, don't get close
to it. Although it does not seem threatening, it's mother is. She has a
maternal instinct to kill anything that she thinks is a threat to her
child. That includes the photographer.